Howard to appear on 'Entourage' finale

Show's star, Ferrara, stops by to chat with Phils in L.A.

By Todd Zolecki / MLB.com

LOS ANGELES -- "Entourage" star Jerry Ferrara chatted with a few Phillies before batting practice on Tuesday at Dodger Stadium.

The group included Ryan Howard, who makes an appearance in the Sept. 12 season finale of the show on HBO. Ferrara, who plays the character Turtle, and Howard would not discuss Howard's scene, although Ferrara said, "Being the season finale, it's kind of a frantic episode. Ryan's in a position to help out my character a little bit."

"It sounded like he had a good time," Ferrara said. "He's a fan of the show. We're obviously a big fan of his. As a Yankee fan, I didn't know if he was going to be too happy that the storyline was with my character, but we didn't talk Yankees."

Howard and Chase Utley also appear in an upcoming episode in the new season of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia."

No start for Brown as Manuel stands by lineup

LOS ANGELES -- Phillies rookie Domonic Brown has not started since Aug. 21, but manager Charlie Manuel said he did not consider starting him Tuesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium to spark a struggling lineup.

Manuel does not believe a shakeup will help.

His faith paid off early as Brian Schneider hit a three-run home run to right field in the second inning and Ryan Howard hit a three-run home run to center field in the third inning to give the Phillies a 6-1 lead.

"That's our lineup," Manuel said. "I think Domonic is going to be a tremendous player. But if we're going to get it done, that's our team. I believe in that lineup. I think that's the one that has carried us in the past. I've stuck with some guys all year long. I don't see any sense in not playing them now. ... I still might maneuver some, but I look for balance in the lineup. The way it's lineup tonight, it's definitely paid off for us in the past. If we're going to win ... we're not talking about one guy, it's we, it's us. We've got to start scoring some runs."

Raul Ibanez had hit .214 (12-for-56) with four doubles, one triple, one home run and six RBIs in 15 games since Aug. 14. Ibanez had hit mostly sixth or seventh in that stretch. He hit .328 (43-for-131) with eight doubles, five homers and 22 RBIs in 35 games from July 2-Aug. 14, when he mostly third and fourth.

Manuel said that was just coincidence.

"That's what I think," he said. "I think that's just how it goes."

Jimmy Rollins had a .327 on-base percentage this season, but had hit .327 with runners in scoring position. Jayson Werth had a .390 on-base percentage, but had hit .156 with runners in scoring position. Manuel said he has not seriously considered moving them in the lineup.

"I don't know what good that'd do," Manuel said of moving up Werth. "Is he going to steal bases for us? I've got all the stats on that. I'm not saying I won't do it because I have done it in the past. I think when you look at our lineup and our team, you look at what's worked for us in the past. That's been consistent for three or four years. Why can't it be consistent again? It was consistent the first two weeks of the season."

So for the time being Manuel is trusting his lineup will click before it's too late. It worked Tuesday.

"We're definitely very capable of outplaying anybody in the National League," Manuel said. "It's up to us to go do it. That's why I think staying positive and staying the course is where it's at. I think we've got our team on the field. Now it's time for us to do it."

Catcher Hoover to join Phils from Triple-A

He will join the team for Wednesday's series finale against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium, which is when rosters expand from 25 to 40 players.

Hoover has hit .247 with two home runs and 27 RBIs in 77 games this season with Lehigh Valley. He hit .278 with two doubles and two RBIs in six games with the Phillies.

The Phillies chose Hoover over catcher Dane Sardinha, who hit .205 with three homers and eight RBIs in 13 games with the Phillies, partly because Hoover is more familiar Phillies pitchers.

Worth noting

Ross Gload, who is on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right groin, is scheduled to make rehab appearances Wednesday and Thursday with Class A Clearwater. If it goes well, he could be activated before Friday's series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers at Citizens Bank Park. ... Right-hander Danys Baez, who is on the DL with back spasms, also is in Clearwater. He long-tossed Monday. ... The Phillies are sending right-handers Tyson Brummett, Justin DeFratus, Chris Kissock, B.J. Rosenberg and Josh Zeid; catcher Tim Kennelly; and first baseman Matt Rizzotti to the Arizona Fall League. Class A Lakewood manager Mark Parent will coach in the AFL. ... The Class A Florida State League named Clearwater right-hander Austin Hyatt its Pitcher of the Year. Hyatt, a 15th round pick in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft, is 11-5 with a 3.04 ERA in 23 appearances (21 starts) this season.

Todd Zolecki is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.